Construction of transformer tanks and the like



July 12, 1932.

F. S. SMITH CONSTRUCTION 0F TRANSFORMER TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 101927 mi Q Pafentedduly 12, 1932 rRANKIiIn s. siu'rrmor `nano i: LYrL'NEWYORK-f eoilsfrruerror'orl'rnAusrmalvinas2 'ranksAND.'rnnfr-.rxnV

VApplication. ild August 10, 192i?. SerialNm 211,383.

This invention relates tothe construction of transformer tanks and thelike. Y One of the objects thereof is to provide a construction of theabove'nature which is dependably fluid-tight throughout and Wherein thepossibility of leakage is minimized. by maintaining at al minimum thenumber of openings employed inl4 the tank walls. 'Another vobject is toprovide means for utilizing a. single opening in the Vtanlrfor theinsertion of1afluid dielectric or for exhausting the tank contents andVfor the mountingof a pressure gage. VAnother object is to provide asimple and practicalmeans for forminga fluid connection with thetankinterior. Anotherobject is to provide a thoroughly fdependable Vsealat the tank openingthrough which Huid is passed to or fromthe tank.Other obj ectsv will be in partobvious or in part pointed out 20hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consistsin the Y features of. construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as willA beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and thescope ofthe application of which 4 will be; indicated ini the following claims.1 v' Y In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one-'of thevarious', possible embodiments oft-his invention, i

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a transformer tank orv the,like showing a pressure gage and fluid connection with the tankinterior; .f

ASimilar reference' characters refer tosimidrawing. Y

'lar parts throughout the several views -of the Referring nowdrawingiin@ detail,

Figure 2 showsthe parts shown in Fig-ure there is shown i Figure portionof the wall 10 of a tank which contains ahightten- -sion transformer orother electrical apparatus. In this transformer there is preferably,"employed aydielectric consisting "of, a luid,. such as. a suitable gas,under highpressure. Thepressure employed maybe inthe neighborhood of2254 pounds.` Itis to be under# stood, also, that insteadof containinga-gas` under high pressure, the tankv may `befi'exhausted so that theApressure therein, abouttheV transformer coils or other electrical.equipment is below atmosphericandv a substantial vacuum prevails. iWhether y the preferred high pressure gaseous dielectric orda vacuum isemployed, itis of the greatest 4 importance that there be no leakagethrough the'tank walls. -The-greater the number `of openings which areemployed in thetankthe greater becomes the difficulty of'mfoiding leaksvand Y of properly sealing the tank.`

Referring still to Figure 1, therefis shown A ajmember 1l threaded intoanopening 13 in the tank. Mounted upon the outerend ofthe y member 11 isapressure gage 12 o fany suitvable construction, and extendingthroughthe member .fromv thel inner end :thereof to the 'Y pressure gage is afluidpassage 14. Between the pressure gage andthe tank vwall/s themember 11 isprovidedwith a somewhat eri-1 larged and squaredpor-tion'llaj which may be engaged by a wrench to `thread 4the .meinfber 11 tightly into the opening 13. 1

In the party llaof thelmember'1lv is formed Y a fluid passage.lrcommunieating` with the.,

passage 14 atits inner end and extending outwardly therefromtowardtheside ofthe member 11 atisubstanti'ally right anglesto the passage 14.f The'outer portion 15a ofthe pasenlarged portion `forms a valve seatlrwh-i'ch y is preferably substantially fla-t as shown. :4 In

vthe part'.I 15a is a valve ymemberwhichyconsists of a small threaded plug .17. havin'gat lits inner end a tapered ysuri'ace 17 ato coact withthe valve seat-16'. Thefplugjl? 4is provided at its outer endwithatransverse slot 18 to be engaged by a screw driverfor thread- .ingthevalvetowardandawayfrom the valve lsage 15 is enlargedand the innerendoffthisw I.

l When'the valve member 17 is threaded'inwardlyv against the seat 16,the fluid passage is sealed thereby. The threads of the valve member 17have preferably a somewhat loose fit with the threads of the passageportion the side surface of the plug or valve member "I 17 a shallowlongitudinal groove 19Hwhich'insures a freeflow of fluid when the valvemember is backed away from its seat..l The plug 17 is of such length,preferably, that it is at all times'contained wholly within 'thejpas-Vsage 15a. i

` In'Figures 1 and 2 there is shown lin posi tion about the member 11 arigid frame 2O Vwhich is preferably in the shape of a closed loop orVrectangle'. Mounted inthe left-hand side of this frame,-as viewed inthe drawing,

is a lpar.t. 21 which may be termed a nozzle,

Vhavingl afluidv passage 22 extending axially therethrough and having'atits outer or'rear end means for making connection with a fluid conductorsuchv asa flexible pipeor hose 23. The front or innery end of thenozzle21 is provided preferably with a tapered surface 24, the end ofthe'nozzle tapering down toa diameter less than that of the mouthof the'passage 15a. vThreaded in the side" of ther frame 20 opposite thenozzle 21, and prefer- Ajicablyv axially aline'd with the nozzle, isv arod 'or spindle 25 having a hand wheel 26 by means of which it may beVturned and advanced through the frame toward the end of thenozzle 21 ormovedjin the opposite vdirection. V

Y`The frame 20 is of suchL size that it is con veniently slipped, intoorout of position' over the pressure'gage 12. ",vhen the tank is beingfilled *withV a fluid 'under' pressure, or being exhausted, the frame,V20 and the parts carried thereby are placedas shown in Figures 1 and2. lThe end of the nozzle 21 is registered with the Vpassagel 15a andthereupon the Y spindle y25 is advanced Vby means of the hand wheel26againstthe'side of themember 11 opposite to the passage 15a.Preferably, there is :formed in' the lsurface of theY member 11, -Vagainst which the rounded end of thel spindley 25 engages, a roundedrecess 11bv which properly' positionsthe end ofthe spindle in line withlthe nozzleV and the' passage 15d. The

' parts having been thus positioned, when the Yspindle 25 is turnedtightly up', against the "fos member 11,"the` end of the nozzle 21 ispulled v` member 1-1-i's preferably 'solderedjto the tank `10 about theopening 13, as shown at 3.0"in vFigure 1.

tightly against theportion ofthe member 11 about themouth ofthe passage15a.

againstthe sharpedge about thefmouthof'the passage 15a and kforms adependablefluidloss of pr'essureor vacuum. 1-

In Figure 5Y thereis diagrammatically-il 'lustrated the transformertank10 with the Y The 'member 11 is preferably formedy of brass and "the-nozzlje21 is preferably of'steel;V thetapered surface 24 ofthe nozzlejamsr tightly tight connection between the fluid conductor 23 and thepassage'15. The nozzle is prefer ably provided with a shoulderl 27 whichbears against the inner side of the frame 2O and takes the thrustexerted by the action of the c" screw 25. The roundedend of the screw orspindleA V25 and `the coactingjrounded. recess in which itoperates'permits the'frame .to rock `and adjust itself as the screw isAtightened 1 so that the most effective sealis achieved at the endfofvthe nozzle.

lPriortotheadjustment of the nozzle and its clamping device intoposition as above des,cribed,;the plug orvalve member 17 is'backed awayaslight distance vfrom' its seat 16. The

fluid conductor 23 is now connected to a source of Vfluid underpressureif'it is desired to fill the tank,orto, a vacuumpump if it is desired'to exhaustithe tank. .As the processY of filling or exhaustingproceeds, the pressure" gage 12 continually indicatesv the pressure.V

vwithin the tank; Vhenthe desired pressure has been achieved vthe screw!25 isloosened the clampingdevice is removed-and the plug 17 is quicklygiven; a slight turn' toV advance it against its seat 16.` y

It will'be'noted that the plug 17 is of such length that its outer yend`is positioned sonic ydistance from the mouth of the .passage 15a andaspace is' left between'the outer end ofi the plug and the end of thenozzle. rPhe fluid passes .through'peitherby working its way through theloosely fitting threads or through the# groove 19 as has been vdescribedin the foregoing. It will be seenl that, after the proclessof-filling orexhausting has been completed, the plug 17 may be very quickly seated Ytoseal the passage without any apparatus hereinbefore .described mountedpressure or toexhaust the tank contents. `Afterthe desired lling orexhaustion of thetank has Vbeen accomplished, and V'after the' valveplug 17 'has been seated, the pas` substantial sagel 15a!lexteriorfoflthe end'of the plug ,is

preferably filled with solder, as shown -at 29 Vin `Figure 4I VThe plug17 Visfpreferably formed of brass so that it forms a dependably tight"seal when seated againstthe `brass seat tionto Vthesoldering over ltheplug V17,theY

Thus, the possibility of V.leakage is dependably minimized"regardlessfof the noi "cumbersome `apparatus -is leftl rmounted 16ofthe. member 11", and the brass is also4 'i conducive to a ltightsoldered joint-.j VInaddi-v 4,867,032 y y i .13 Y

upon the transformer after the process of filling or the process ofiVexhausting 4v.the tank has been accomplished. i

As many possible. embodiments .be

made ofthe above invention .andr` as many changes might be made of theembodimentl above set forth, it is to be understoodthat` all matterhereinbefore, set forth or shownin the accompanying drawing isito beinterpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.v

tightly against said iirst member With thev mouths of saidy two. fluidpassages in registry, andmeans operatively related to and housed withinthe passage in said member for sealing Vsaid passage and havinga part.for operating it tofeect a sealing accessible only Vupon removal or'Vsaid device.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a member having apassage for Huid therethrough, a conduit for iuid, and

means for forming a fluid-tight connection between lsaid passage andsaid conduit comprising a second member having a fluid passage terethrough and a device for removably clamping said members tightlytogether with the mouthsof said passages in registry, anda valve forsealing said rst passa-ge accessible for manipulation only afterdetachment and removal of said second member, said-'valve comprising aplug threaded in said first-mentioned passage and having fa seat at itsinner end, said plug being of such length thatlit is containedwholly'within said passage when backed away from itsf seat.

3. In a device of the' class described, in combination, a member adaptedto be secured in an opening in a tank and havinga fluid passagetherethrough terminating at its outer end in a mouth positioned at oneside of said member, a supporting bracket adapted to embrace saidmember, a fluid' nozzle carried in said bracket and adapted to coactwith said mouth, and a threaded meinber in said bracket adapted toengage the side of said member opposite said mouth and to draw saidnozzle against said mouth to form a duid-tight connection between saidnozzle and said passage, said mouth having a sharp edge and the end ofsaid nozzle being tapered to extend thereinto. Y

combination, a member adapted to be secured in an opening in a tank andhavinga i fluid passage therethrough terminating at its outer end in amouth positioned at one portion' thereof` internally threaded, ali-sup.-

porting. bracket` adapted to` embrace said member, fluid nozzlecarriedfin said bracket and adapted to coact with said. mouth, aIthreaded member in said, bracket adapted toi ,engage they side ofsaid;` member opposite said mouth, and to ldraw s.aidnozzle againstAysaid .mouth to form a fluid-tight connection between said nozzle andsaid passage,A and a valve member in said'passage comprising athreadedplug in threaded engagementlwith the threaded portion of` saidpassage "and tool when said' nozzleis removed. and having apart exposed,toward said mouth .and

with whichipart a tool may engage for rotating said plug when saidnozzleis removed. V35 l 5. In a device of the class described, in combination,a member adapted. to besecured in an opening in a tank and having aiiuidpassage therethrough terminating at 1 its outer yendfin 'amouthpositioned at'rone side of said member, ay supporting bracket 'padapted to embrace said member, a fluid nozzle carried in said bracketand-,adapted to Y coact with said. mouth', and a threaded member in saidbracket adapted to engage the `side 4 of said 'memberoppositesaid mouthand to draw said nozzle against said mouth to form `having a seat'fatits. inner-endl and adapted when backed away from itscseat. tofpermitVpassage of fiiiid,$said plugbeing accessible -from saidmouth forvrotation'byV means of a.

a fluid-tight VconnectionV between said nozzle and said passage, saidmouthhaving a sharp edge and the end of'saidnozzle being tapered v1 toextendy thereinto, and. said member being formed ofi brass and saidnozzle being formed of'steel. f i

i 6. A device-for conditioninga tank or theV like as to theilressuretherein, comprising@ in combination,1a membersecured into an opening ina tank and having a passagefor fluid therethrough, a pressure gageconnected i to said passage,'a removable device forv forming afluid-tight connection between an outer `fluid conductor andsaid'passage, said device including ay supporting bracketv shapedtopassloversaidpressure gage and havinga iiuid nozzle adapted to.connect withsaid passage and havingalso; a 'threaded member4 adapted toengage theside of= said lirst-mentionedV member and to draw and holdsaid l nozzle in Huid-tight connection with`l` said ing thepassage?thereini A 7*. Aldevice for conditioning a tank or the like as to thepressure therein comprising, "in combination, a member secured into anl. In a device of the class described, in

A fluid therethrough, a-'pressure gage connectopening-.in a tank andhaving a ypassage for ed to saidfpassage,aremovable device'for formingafluid-tight connection between an outer fluid conductor and saidpassage, said 65 side of said member, said passage having a f topassover said pressuregage and having. a

fluid nozzle` adapted to connect-.with said passage and'having meansforvdra'wing and holding said nozzlein fluid-tight connection .withsaidpassage,vr and valve meansl housed entirely within said passage foropeningor v closing theflatter andv operable only when said device andsaid nozzle are removed from io Y j'comblnation, atan-k,.a"stem'pro]ect1ng out- .'wardly vfrom said tank and havingapassage rsaid'member.l

8." In apparatus-ofthe class-described,

wardly from said tank and having a passage for Vfluid extendingtherethrough, a' valve in .said passage, a gage permanently connected tosaid member and communicating with saidpassage in front of said valve toindicate'at` all times the pressure within said tank,

and detachable means for forming a `fluidtight connection between kanouter Huid conductor and said passage. f

9. InV apparatus of the class described, in combination, a tank, a stemprojectingiouttherein leading from the interior of saidtank to a portonone side vof said stem, a valve seat insaid passage,a plug threaded kinsaid passage andforming a valve to coact with said Y =s`eat, a' gagepermanently connected to said stem .and communicating withk said passageinfront ofsaid valve toindicate at all times the pressure within saidttank, and means for clamping a fluid conductor tosaid steminAregistration withA said uport, said valve being tioning said tank as topressure thereinr comv 10. In apparatus of the class described, the

operable by .a tool inserted through said port.

combination with a tank of means for condi# prisingv a stem projectingoutwardly from l said tank and having aV passage leading from theinterior yoi' the tank' to zfport on one side of said stem, a valve insaid passageoperable ,throughsaid port to control the flow of luidj.

through said passage, a supporting frame adapted to-embrace said stem, afluid 'nozzle carried in said frame and adapted toy c oacty with saidport, and a member adapted toencombination', 'a member threaded into anopening in a tank and having apassagey communicating withl the'interiorof said tank, a

second passage leading from the first-mentioned passageand havingaport'on one side able by atool inserted through said port, and

of saidfmember outside said: tank, a valve `seat formed insaid secondpassage, a threadved plug iny saidsecondpassage forming a valve to coactwith said. valve seatand opera removable devieezfor forming afluid-tight Y' connection lbetween `an outer lfluid conductor YYand,saidfsecond' passage including a part zhaving a Huid passagetherethrough,l and Imeans for clamping said part tightly against saidmember "with the mouth'of the passage in said'part registering withsaidport, said valve being accessible only when said` device is removed'. Y

' 13. A device forconditioning ay tank or the likecomprising, incombination, a, member -havingits inner. end threaded yinto an openfingin'a tankand a passage extending from an inner portcommunicatingwith: the inp terior of said tank to'an outer port on one side of saidmember outside` said tank, aj valve f seatin said passage, a threadedplugin said passage forming a valve coacting with said seat ,andoperable; only by a tool inserted through said outer port, a supportingframe'- adapted to envelopesaidfmember, a iiuid nozzle carried bysaidframe, and a clamping screw invsaid frame adapted Vto engager the `sideof said; member opposite said outer port v to draw said nozzleagainstsaid outer port to `form a fluid-tight connection between said.nozzle and said passage, said `valve being'accessible only when saidframe is removed.

loo

'In-testimony whereof, I have Vsigned my y name to this specificationthis twenty seventh day of'July'fl927. j Y, c, Y f l?lEtANKLINS.VSMITH.y v,

gage the side of said stem' oppositesaid port to 'draw said nozzleagainstisaid port to `form Y a fluid-tight connection between saidnozzle and said passage, said-valve being accessible a second passageleading from the lirst-menc' tioned passage and havinga port on one sideY of said member outside said tank,.a;valve seat vrformed' in saidvsecond passage, and a threaded plug in said second-passage forming avalve to coact with said valve seat' and operable by a tool insertedthrough said port. v. 121A device V:for vconditioning a tankfor theylike as topressure therein comprising-in A

